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The Senate and CO2

10:30 p.m. | Updated The proposal to consider the “resolution of disapproval” put forth by Senator Lisa Murkowski, the Republican of Alaska, was rejected, 57 to 43.

The Senate is voting after hours of statements for and against a resolution by Senator Lisa Murkowski, the Republican of Alaska, that would take away the authority of the Environmental Protection Agency to use the Clean Air Act to restrict emissions of carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas linked by scientists to global warming.

James Milkey, assistant attorney general of Massachusetts, corrected Justice Antonin Scalia, saying: “Respectfully, Your Honor, it is not the stratosphere. It’s the troposphere.”

“Troposphere, whatever,” Justice Scalia replied. “I told you before I’m not a scientist.” Over a brief flutter of laughter from observers, he added: “That’s why I don’t want to have to deal with global warming, to tell you the truth.”

Few people on Capitol Hill foresee passage of the Murkowski resolution. But the vote amplifies the sense that the Senate is nowhere near close to coming up with a viable counterpart to the House climate bill passed last year. Even President Obama, in recent remarks urging action by the Senate, referred to latest offering from Democrats, the Kerry-Lieberman bill, as “a plan,” clearly keeping it at arm’s length.

I’m traveling today but will weigh in Friday on next steps. What’s your view

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By 2050 or so, the human population is expected to pass nine billion. Those billions will be seeking food, water and other resources on a planet where humans are already shaping climate and the web of life. Dot Earth was created by Andrew Revkin in October 2007 -- in part with support from a John Simon Guggenheim Fellowship -- to explore ways to balance human needs and the planet's limits.